Why does Dom 2 take up so much resources on my computer?

[tinkthank]

Originally posted by Norfleet:
You need a better computer. Dom2 is not a major resource hog, so if your computer has so few resources that Dom2 maxes it out, you either need a better computer, or you have a driver problem of some kind.

On my laptop, which is inferior to the desktop in every way except that it runs Windows 98 SE, it functions like a charm.
Therefore, I doubt it is the power of the machine; how can I figure out if it is a driver problem and, if necessary, fix it?

(Btw: One reason I like dom2 a lot is that I can run it well on such a comparatively low-grade machine -- compared to what new games such as DX2 or ThiefIII require...)